
In 2009, world pumped storage generating capacity was 104 , while other sources claim 127 GW, which comprises the vast majority of all types of utility grade electric storage. The had 38.3 GW net capacity (36.8% of world capacity) out of a total of 140 GW of hydropower and representing 5% of total net electrical capacity in the EU. had 25.5 GW net capacity (24.5%. In the Alps, where pumped storage was invented in the late 19th century, Switzerland opened a plant in 2022 called Nant de Drance that can deliver 900 megawatts for as long as 20 hours. [pdf]
Small and medium-sized pumped storage power stations are mainly used to store clean energy such as wind and solar energy. Pumped storage has the characteristics of flexible operation and low environmental pressure, so it is a mature energy storage method with high economy and large capacity .
The construction of early pumped storage power stations at home and abroad started from small and medium-sized power stations. In the 1960s, the construction of Hebei Gangnan small hybrid pumped storage power station with an installed capacity of only 11,000 kW filled the gap in China's pumped storage industry.
Pumped storage hydropower facilities use water and gravity to create and store renewable energy. Learn more about this energy storage technology and how it can help support the 100% clean energy grid the country—and the world—needs.
In 2021, the National Energy Administration made it clear in the Medium and Long Term Development Plan for Pumped Storage (2021–2035) that the construction of small and medium-sized pumped storage power stations should be planned according to local conditions in provinces with better resources.
Promoting the construction of flexible and decentralized small and medium-sized pumped storage power stations is conducive to implementing the dual‑carbon goal and improving regional new energy consumption capacity.
Compared to large-scale pumped-storage power stations, which take at least 10–15 years from planning to completion, small- and medium-sized pumped-storage power stations take only 3–5 years, with a shorter revenue cycle and greater investment attractiveness for SMEs (small and medium-size enterprises).

Journals and papers • Chen, Haisheng; Thang Ngoc Cong; Wei Yang; Chunqing Tan; Yongliang Li; Yulong Ding. , Progress in Natural Science, accepted July 2, 2008, published in Vol. 19, 2009, pp. 291–312, doi: 10.1016/j.pnsc.2008.07.014. Sourced from the and the Energy Storage The Office of Electricity’s (OE) Energy Storage Division’s research and leadership drive DOE’s efforts to rapidly deploy technologies commercially and expedite grid-scale energy storage in meeting future grid demands. [pdf]
Energy storage is the capturing and holding of energy in reserve for later use. Energy storage solutions for electricity generation include pumped-hydro storage, batteries, flywheels, compressed-air energy storage, hydrogen storage and thermal energy storage components.
The Energy Department is working to develop new storage technologies to tackle this challenge -- from supporting research on battery storage at the National Labs, to making investments that take startup concepts to grid-scale solutions. Learn about the Energy Department's innovative research and development in different energy storage options.
Thermal energy storage (TES) is a critical enabler for the large-scale deployment of renewable energy and transition to a decarbonized building stock and energy system by 2050.
For example, electricity storage is critical for the operation of electric vehicles, while thermal energy storage can help organizations reduce their carbon footprints. Large-scale energy storage systems also help utilities meet electricity demand during periods when renewable energy resources are not producing energy.
BTO's Thermal Energy Storage R&D programs develops cost-effective technologies to support both energy efficiency and demand flexibility.
The so-called battery “charges” when power is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir. The energy storage system “discharges” power when water, pulled by gravity, is released back to the lower-elevation reservoir and passes through a turbine along the way.
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